...to feel that charity agent workers should be stopped?

[whatever187]

Today as I tried to leave my local supermarket with my shopping and baby in the pram, I was approached by a person from one of these charity sign up stands (you know the ones where they take your bank details and you sign up to a direct debit to support x-charity)
He was stood in my way, showing me a picture of some dogs and asking if I would like to sponsor one. I said no, to which he didn't move, and asked 'why, don't you like dogs?' It felt awkward and I replied that our family couldn't afford it. Thinking that would be that (and it is embarrassing enough to be made to stand there and say that) he ridiculously claimed 'Everyone can afford it, it is only £2 a week' I was almost immediately irritated, I have a lot going on today with appointments etc and didn't feel like having to explain, so I said that it wasn't true as we can't. He was so pushy and to my utter disbelief said 'Well, you can afford shopping and having a baby'
YES! Yes we can because we planned to do that, we budgeted to do that and we already support a charity, don't enjoy luxuries and are happy because we wanted a second child, knowing we would be making sacrifices to do so, but we do it. I told him exactly that! He angered me so much when he asked if we were saving in trust funds... yes... well then we have some money to spare! No... we don't. Why won't you leave me alone? 'Because people think it's ok to say they can't afford it and move along. What if everyone did that? We would have to close rescue centres within 6 months, it is ONLY £2 a week!'
I literally felt like crying, it was so embarrassing and I was getting so enraged, so I asked if he supported them, to which he answered 'No, because I work for them' He doesn't, he works for an agency that gets employed to fundraise! I told him that and proceeded to walk forwards, he had no choice but to move out of the way of my pram or get run over, but now I feel terrible.
AIBU to think that this shouldn't be allowed? It is turning me against charity of all kinds!
Sorry about the rant

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Ha ha good for you Old gran.
Sometimes you have to use that language because it's the only language that gets through to some people.
I mean you tried the nice way but that didn't work, so there was only one alternative.

[oldgrandmama]

I sympathise, OP - and yes, definitely complain to the charity concerned and the supermarket.
Something similar happened to me, in that a persistent chugger kept dancing in front of me, blocking my way. I was heaving along several heavy carrier bags, trying to get to the bus stop, and he wouldn't let me pass. I tried reasonableness, saying that I was sorry, I didn't want to sign up, that I couldn't afford it and I already subscribed to several charities (true, by direct debits) and please, could I pass. Still he kept getting in my day, yacking on and on until finally I cracked. 'Get out of the f* way, you sodding c*t!' I snarled. His face! Wish I'd taken a photo. I'm a nearly 73 year old woman, quite frail looking - I think he was a bit surprised!
Note: I do not usually use bad language, but I was totally pissed off.

[fluffymouse]

I wish chuggers were banned.

Also surely the market would be saturated by now?

Those that knock on your door are the worst. Its a huge invasion of privacy, and I would never sign up as I know the first 18 months at least of donations goes to paying the chugger. Inefficient and immoral.

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Their porogative not there.You wouldn't think I got an A* in English

[Iliveinalighthousewiththeghost]

Put a complaint in to the charity and the store. They need to know what is going on and I'm sure they'll be mortified. Charity is a gift not a tax or an obligation and if a person doesn't want to give as harsh as it seems then that's there porogative to say "No" and not give any reasons.
His behavior is more likely to lose the charity money rather than gain.

[Poolomoomon]

Morrisons is a total bugger for it. I really don't like going there because of it but it's our closest supermarket by a fairly long distance and we don't drive so convenience wins... Outside they usually have an AA or RAC seller pitched outside with a car, in the doorway there's always a different charity and just as you're walking away from the checkouts there's a photography/windows and doors/sometimes Virgin media seller there too! I feel completely and utterly harrassed and I really don't wonder why morrisons are struggling so much when this is how they treat customers who just want to go about their bloody day without being hassled.

Chuggers put a lot of people off the high street also, I think it's partly (although there are many) the reason why the high street is struggling too. I don't know which type of chugger I find worse- the blatantly rude ones or the ones with the fake charm that compliment you and try to engage in regular every day conversation before eventually saying "Give me your money."

Come to think of we're constantly hounded to donate to 1000000 charities. They knock on your door, harrass you in supermarkets, stores and the high street, send you letters, have adverts on the TV. Is there any escape from them? I realise they're trying to do the world good and I'll be grateful if my family ever requires their help, I'm very grateful and do donate to Marie Curie who helped my Grandpa and Nan in his dying days... And I'm not sure how else they can go about getting people to sign up but this isn't it. It works for them though clearly, probably because we're British and therefore far too polite to tell them no.

You experienced a very, very bad one and you have no reason to feel bad. Definitely complain to the supermarket, I doubt you'll get much joy out of the charity though.

[fuzzpig]

We have one of those No unsolicited callers stickers on our door but the amount of people who ignore it is shocking. I always get all flustered and forget to curtly point it out when they knock, and end up muttering something about being ill (which TBF is usually true anyway).

The one time I did remember to point it out (after the woman, from Save the Children IIRC, had kept speaking directly to my DD while she was hiding behind me) she paused and then said "oh... well can I ask WHY you have that sign?"

To avoid situations just like this, maybe? I was too stunned to reply though.

[Nicename]

Are they getting commission?

[FreudiansSlipper]

I pretend I am having a serious conversation on the phone. I look very concerned as though I am dealing with important issues

i just hope no one decides to call me just as I am walking past

[Discopanda]

They can be really pushy, I've had chuggers telling me to stop supporting other charities and give money to theirs instead when I've said I already give money to charity. The worst was in a shopping centre when I was heavily pregnant, a young male collecting money for a charity for blind children asked what I was having, I told him I was expecting a girl, so he said "How would you feel if your little girl was born blind?", I was appalled, stayed as polite as I could them walked off. They use emotional blackmail and they are too aggressively persistent, they should be banned

[morethanpotatoprints]

A good trick is not to make eye contact and just look away not showing the slightest interest.

Once this didn't work for me and the man carried on asking me questions about my finances, so I asked him if he took it up the ass.
he said, that's a bit personal and rude. I said so is asking me about my finances now fuck off.

You have to be hard on these leeches, they are horrible tactics to use and not fair to those who may be sensitive about being a bit hard up.

In town on Saturday stood a lady with a box collecting for The Sally Army, now there is a charity box I never walk past. No trying to get you to sign up to anything, just a smile and gratitude for your donation.
Well done Sally Army

[Oldieandgoldie]

Mumsnet, can you start an anti-chugging campaign?

I'm another who sticks my nose in the air, looks straight ahead, and says continually... "No thank you", "No thank you"! "NO THANK YOU!!!"

I DO donate to charities, but at a time to suit me, and an amount to suit me. I also do volunteer work at a local charity.
Tin rattlers aren't allowed to 'rattle', so how can chuggers be allowed to harass you in what seems to be a similar(or worse) way?

[avocadotoast]

Happydays, oh god I hate those bag packers. I always feel bad because usually round our end they're kids fundraising for football or whatever but a) I hate them packing my bags, they always do it wrong and b) I never have any change as I just pay for my shopping by card. So annoying!

[Viviennemary]

Complain to the charity he was representing and the shop he was in. Simply no excuse for this kind of intimidating behaviour. Just say next time I give to a number of charities already. And yours is not one of them.

[Puzzledandpissedoff]

Call me a cynic Fluffies but I can't help wondering if the question about the location of the discussion was motivated more by concern for themselves than their poor harassed customers

Given some of the appalling publicity Tesco have had recently, that perhaps wouldn't be surprising ...

[fluffyraggies]

Oh my Goodness they have not only replied but just rung me up! Literally seconds ago! DH answered and passed the phone over.

Very nice woman asking to describe my experience in detail and told me that policy making surrounding charity collection in-store is down to the individual store manager and that she would be passing my message on to the store manager now.

She asked where online this was being discussed and i told her MN. I also told her i was impressed with the lightening reaction to my complaint and would post as much straight away.

So there we go! It's worth voicing your opinion.

[Scholes34]

£2 a week, why that's £104 a year! I don't have a spare £104.

I have a number of charities I support - all local to where I live - and the one chugging usually isn't on the list.

But I must say I do quite fancy supporting St Mungo's, but it's never the one to cure magical maladies that's chugging.

[HappydaysArehere]

Then there are the so called "helpers" who stand at the end of the checkout and attempt to help you pack. When it is finished a donation box is held out. Or the cashier asks you if you would like to donate some or all of your change. It's the fact that I feel pushed into a corner and have little choice between awkwardness if I refuse and a feeling close to being mugged. I give but wish to do so because I want to

[CyclopsBee]

Good for you fluffies let us know if they reply

[fluffyraggies]

Just sent this to Tesco customer services online:

Recently shopping in Tesco [my local town], i was approached three times by charity workers asking for money. Once on the way in by a woman with a stall near the veg. area, then again by a different charity as you leave the tills, and then a third time in the entrance porch on the way out.

Having fended off 4 approaches by charity workers already that morning in the high st. i was frankly p* off with it happening again inside Tesco. I just want to shop in peace!

If charities are going to be allowed to set up stall within your stores they should be told NOT to approach customers as well as it makes for an uncomfortable experience. Especially if there is more than one charity collecting on the premises.

Having just read online about other people feeling the same way i thought i would lodge a complaint. Allowing your customers to be treated as a 'captive audience' like this is wrong.

Yours sincerely
Fluffy R

Probably wont make a jot of difference ... but it felt good

[CyclopsBee]

I give to my local hospital charity, I chose to do so without any pressure from anyone.
I chose them as I work there as some of my family members have received excellent treatment, and they have never asked me for more money (i give a monthly amount)
DH gives to various charities on rotation. He is currently with NSPCC and a few months back RSPCA
He swaps every 6 months but the minute they phone for more money he cancels.

[maggiethemagpie]

I just walk past them and utterly ignore them. It feels a bit strange at first, but you soon get used to it and it's infinitely better than engaging with them.

Give them an inch and they take a mile

My other pet hate is 'enforced' giving. My kids nursery would add on a charitable donation to the bill. It was only a £1 and I didn't mind giving that, I just minded the fact that it was enforced. Similar with payroll giving.

PS I do actually work for a charity! But we don't use chuggers

[CyclopsBee]

On a different note, a pension something or other company rang me this afternoon, she told me I really should have my pension reviewed yearly, and almost accused me of lying when I said I had no pension.
I asked her how she got my number as it's ex directory, and apparently I filled in a lifestyle survey I would never do this!
I told her I wasn't interested in whatever she was trying to sell me, she said she wasn't selling.
I continued to say no Thankyou , she then gave a huge sigh and said "come on cyclops, it's not hard, just stop being aggressive" I was and asked her not to phone again and put the phone down.

[StepAwayFromTheEcclesCakes]

I told mine that yes of course I loved dogs.... but I couldn't eat a whole one unless it was very small or I was very hungry, he stood there like for a minute then had to laugh as I breezed off